L&M Publications
Merrick Life • Bellmore Life • Freeport-Baldwin Leader • Wantagh-Seaford Citizen

Reed Midmer, son of Reuben Midmer, moved his organ factory from Brooklyn to Merrick in 1906, bringing along most of his employees, around 30, for whom he built homes on Miller Place. 

Reuben founded his organ building company in Brooklyn in 1860. His son Reed worked for him since he was 14 years of age. His father made him a partner in 1875 and changed the name of the company to Reuben Midmer & Son.

Reed took over the business after his father’s death and moved it to Merrick in 1906. Reed became ill in 1917 and sometime between then and 1920 sold the business to two brothers, Seibert and George Losh. They changed the name of the company to Midmer-Losh Organ Company in 1924. 

Mr. Seibert Losh was 39 years old in 1920. He was a talented musician who could play many different instruments, and led several orchestras. He loved manufacturing organs and had the musical talent to excel in that business.  He was responsible for building the world’s largest organ at Convention Hall on the Steel Pier of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

This organ had 33,112 pipes, and was a major sightseeing event.  Brother George took over the business on January 10, 1934, when Seibert died. By the early 1930s talking movies were a global phenomenon, and there was less and less need for organs,which were used to accompany silent movies.

Today, the building in which these organs were manufactured still stands. It houses Northeast Metal Products Co. a manufacturer of windows.  And today there are many Midmer-Losh organs in operation all over the world. The Historical Society of the Merrick's has, thanks to Barry Kogan, a “collector extraordinaire,” an original, nonoperable Midmer-Losh organ in need of some “body work,” but, nevertheless, one of their prize possessions.

The society hopes that someone or a group of talented people reading this article can volunteer to help restore this precious historical possession.  These volunteers could expect the fullest support from our members and board.

If you think you can help, call Jerry Medowar, 623-6739.